NHL free agency is still over a week away, but a new report from insider Elliotte Friedman indicates that the New York Rangers may be the top destination if defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov opts to depart the Los Angeles Kings.
In his latest 32 Thoughts column, released following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, Friedman addressed the situation surrounding Gavrikov and how it could impact the defense market.
> “8. Ekblad staying changes the defence market. It puts the Flames in even better position with Andersson. Among left shots, Vladislav Gavrikov is not believed to have a long list of places he wants to go if he leaves Los Angeles, which is why so many are pointing to the Rangers.”
The fit makes sense. With Mike Sullivan now behind the bench in New York, the Rangers may view Gavrikov as a better fit for the system compared to K’Andre Miller, who has consistently surfaced in trade rumors.
Gavrikov is widely considered the top defenseman available in this free-agent class and turns 30 in November. Known for his size (6’3″, 220 lbs) and reliability, he’s capable of logging major minutes and boasts strong underlying numbers.
His 2025 campaign with the Kings earned significant praise, as noted by the team’s official website:
> “Trending Up – Gavrikov was selected as the team’s most Outstanding Defenseman, voted on by the members of the media. Seeing his role elevated, Gavrikov logged a career-high 23:07 this season, as he led all Kings blueliners with a +26 rating during the regular season.
Around the NHL this season, Gavrikov established himself as a top defensive defenseman. Of the 17 blueliners to log at least 1,500 minutes this season on the backend, Gavrikov’s 1.64 goals against per/60 was the best mark in the league, while his on-ice metrics for scoring chances against and high-danger chances against were also the best in the league among those defensemen.
17 is a small number, certainly, but these are the highest-usage players in the league. The numbers presented a pretty clear picture. With Gavrikov on the ice, the Kings allowed very few goals, which stemmed from allowing very few chances. Pretty good combination.”
Analytically, Gavrikov continues to stand out. According to Evolving-Hockey, he recorded a 59.74 GF%, a 55.81 CF%, and a 57.19 xGF%. HockeyViz.com also tracked him allowing 0.23 fewer expected goals per 60 minutes than the league average — a 10% improvement.
These advanced stats highlight what Gavrikov brings as a left-handed shutdown defenseman — a role the Rangers are clearly aiming to solidify.
Ultimately, his next destination could depend on how contract negotiations unfold. AFP Analytics projects his market value at a hefty seven-year deal worth $7.6 million annually. Evolving-Hockey, however, estimates a more modest four-year deal at $5.636 million per year. A compromise, perhaps in the range of five years at $6.25 million annually, might appeal to Rangers President and GM Chris Drury.
As the NHL Draft approaches and teams begin clearing cap space, we should get a clearer picture of Gavrikov’s future — and whether Broadway is truly his next stop.
